Electrical-circuit controller.



No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1901 RENEWED DBO. 20, 1904.

8 SHEETSSHBET 1.

mm Q No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1001. RENEWED DEC. 20, 1904.

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. Illl wan e000 I mvewtoz .No. 817,719. PATENTED APR.10, 1906.

H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1901. RENEWED DEG.20,1904.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3 Wi ma e we 0 No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

- H. W. LEONARD.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION IILED NOV.30, 1901. RENEWED DEC. 20, 1904.

BSHEETS-SHEET 4,

I 1 IZIZ M O W avwewioz .No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. H. W. LEONARD.

ELECTRICAL OIROUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED'NOV. 30, 1901. RENEWED DEC. 20, 1904.

8 SHEETSSHEET 5.

' @3713 if: @Homwag No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1901. RENEWED DEC. 20, 1904.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6.

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No. 817,719. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

y H. W. LEONARD. ELBOTRIOALOIROUIT CONTROLLER.

APILIGATION FILED NOV. 30, 1901. RENEWED DBO. 20, 1904.

8 SHEETSSHBET '1.

PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1901. RENEWED D110. 20, 1904.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8,

rmrrnn srATEs PATENT or rron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented April 10, 1906.

Application filed November 30,1901. Renewed December 20,1904. Serial No. 237.653

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY WARD LEON- ARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bronxville, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electrical Circuit-Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

My inventionrelates generally to controlling-switches, and has a particular application to motor-starting rheostats or rheostats employed with electric motors or other electrical translating devices, in which the resistance is employed not for regulating the energy supplied to the motor or other translating device, but mainly for gradually raising the energy at the terminals of the translating device to the full electromotive force. My invention is also of importance where regulating resistances are used and to prevent their improper operation. I have found in practice that such rhesstats are frequently damaged by hclding or permitting the contactlever to remain on the initial cr starting contact or contacts near the same with all the resistance of the rheostat or a CI1Sld6f3bl6 perticn thereof in circuit. T have also found that operators frequently close the circuit at the initial or starting contact of the rheostat and then return the lever to the idle position, thus drawing an are at the initial contact. This also damages the rheostat. I have also found that operators sometimes close the main circuit when the resistance-controlling device, which might be used as a regulator, is in an intermediate position. This of course allows an excessive and damaging flow of current.

The main object of my invention is to devise a starting rheostat or controller or to provide the present type of rheostats with a ccntr Jlling device which will prevent this improper handling of such rheostats. I have devised many ways for carrying out this object, both mechanically and electrically.

In order to prevent the burning at the initial contact of the rheostat, due to the closing of the circuit upon insufficient surface or due to the backward movement of the contactlever after making the first contact, which results in the formation of an are due to the full electromotive force and one hundred and fifty per cent. of the full torque current, (when the motor has no counter electromotive force,) the rheostat should be provided with an auxiliary switch by which the circuit is quickly snap action when the rheostat contact-lever is moved forward or backward at the starting position. In some instances this switch may be a small one which either opens or closes another circuit, and thereby energizes a large quick-acting circuit-breaker. In such an arrangement the small switch need not be quick acting if it opens or closes the circuit to the coil of an automatic circuit-breaker whose current is very smallas, for instance, in the case of a winding connected with the full electromotive force, with or without resistance, in series therewith. In other arrangements the auxiliary switch may be of various-forms, preferably a spring-actuated electrically-controlled switch of the automatic circuitmay be accomplished by using a mechanical hammer-blow device, a tripping device, so as to cause a spring cr gravity to' act suddenly and at its full force, or by the energization or deenergization of a magnet to give the resulting quick action to the switch moved thereby.

My invention includes various other improvements and advantages, which will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings.

My invention is illustrated in the accomp anying drawings, in which- Fi ure 1 is a plan view of a rheostat provide with an auxiliary switch having a spring-actuated hammer arranged to be started by direct engagement with the rheostat contact-lever. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a similar form of rheostat provided with an overload-switch, the closure of which is also controlled by the movement of the rheostat-lever in one direction. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of controller in which the auxiliary and overload switches are mechanically independent of the rheostat-lever. Figs. 4', 5, 6, and 7 are 'modifications of the arrangement of Fig. 3.

I 12 are diagrammatic illustrations of anarrangement in which the auxiliary switch is electromechanically operated. Figs. 13 to 18 are diagrammatic views of modifications, and Figs. 19 and 20 are pers ective views indicating the construction 0 certain parts.

' Referring to Fig. 1, A is a suitable base provided with a series of contacts a, to which the sections ofthe resistance 0 (shown in dotted lines.) areconnected. This resistance, it will be understood, is arranged in any suitable manner beneath base A or within a case of which A is the cover, and the sections of the resistance will be insulated from each other and in some instances providedwith means for absorbing the heat energy developed therein. B is a switch in the form of a rheostat contact-lever pivoted on base A and whose short end is arranged to actuate the auxiliary switch. The auxiliary switch comprises two stationary contacts a and c, a

switch C, and an operating-hammer D, said 'switch and hammerbeing pivoted upon a spring (i the function of which is to throw the hammer with a snap action to either side of a central position when moved by the arm I), and when thrown by the spring the hammer delivers a blow upon in 0 which results in the switch being ra i y moved in either direction. In the position shown the auxiliary switch is open and lever B is in the idle or open-circuit position. To start motor M, lever B is moved to the right, and in moving to the first or initial resistance-contact a arm I), through its engagement with the left arm of hammer D, swings the hammer on its ivot. Pin (l -being stationary, spring (i will be placed under increased tension during this movement, and as pin d passes the center of equilibrium spring (1 will throw the hammer to the dotted-line position, and in doing so a blow will be im arted to the switch, as above'stated, and e ect its closure. When the contact-lever B is returned to the starting position, its arm I) will engage the right arm of the hammer when the lever moves from the initial contact a and throw the same in the opposite direction and eflect the opening of the switch. Thus it will be seen that a slight angular movement of lever B in either direction at the starting-point will close or open the circuit. In practice the auxiliary switch may be covered, so that the operator cannot operate the same without manipulating lever B. To prevent arcing at the blade and, stationarycontacts of the auxiliary switch, I provide spring-contacts andpins on which the arc is broken. These spring-contacts are preferably curved split springs of phosphor-bronze, one being secured edgewise to each contact 0 and c, and the pins are of copper and project from switch 0. The s rings are curved so that they will be norma ly out of contact with the pins when the switch is closed. During the.clos ing movement the pins engage the springs before the blade C enters contacts 0 and c, and in the opening movement the pins engage the spring just as the blade 0 is about to leave its contacts. I find that phosphor springs and copper pins or plates make good I are breaking contacts, and by arranging these contacts so that they are in engagement only during the interval stated the movement of switchC is not materially retarded thereby.

Therheostat shown in Fig. 1 may be employed both as a starting or a regulating rheostat, and for that reason contact-lever B is not shown as provided with a retractingspring as usual. I prefer, however, to provide starting-rheostats with a retractingspring, so that should the operator attempt to leave the contact-lever at the initial or starting position or at any intermediate position the spring will return it to the idle position, and in doing so the arm I) will operate the auxiliary switch. I

In Fig. 2 the principle of Fig. 1 is applied to a starting-rheostat, provided also with an underload or no-volta e-release magnet and an overload-switch. F11 this figure arts similar to those of Fig. 1 are indicated by the same reference -letters. The underload releasemagnet is of the usual construction and cooperates with an armature pivoted on lever B to hold the same in the final position. The overload-switch E is arranged as a knife-switch bridging two stationary contacts and is held inthe'closed position against s ring tension by a latch which is arranged to e tripped by the movement of a core or plunger moving within a coil, as is now well understood. The overload-switch blade has an arm e, which projects into the path of movement of arm I) on contact-lever B and is arranged so that switch E will be closed (if 0 en) immediately after switch 0 is opened fiy the backward movement of lever B to the idle position. The switch E can therefore be closed only when the arm B is in a protective position.

As shown, the controller is in the idle position and the movement of lever B from the blind contact to the first rheostat contact a will operate to close switch C by means of arm 6, as explained in connection with Fig. 1, and the subsequent forward movement of lever B will cut out the first contact a, and the circuit through the resistance and to the motor or other translating device M will then be "by way of wire 1 and lever B. If an overload occurs during the operation of lever B, switch E will open and lever B must be returned to the starting position to close it again by means of arm I). If an overload occurs after lever B is in the final position, switch E will open and the underload-magnet will become deenergized and release lever B, which by means of its retracting-spring will be driven back to its idle position, and in doing so switch C will be opened and switch E will be closed. In returning lever B to the final position, arm bwill again close switch C. If an abnormal drop in voltage exists when lever B reaches the final position or occurs after it reaches that position, magnet F will not hold the lever against its spring, and

hence that lever will return to its idle position and open switch C. From this description of Fig. 2 it will be seen that to maintain switch 0 closed under normal conditions lever B must be in its final position and held by magnet F otherwise, unless held against the tension of its spring by the operator, the lever will return to its idle position and cause the opening of the circuit. It will also be seen that, like the arrangement in Fig. 1, lever B cannot be moved back and forth at the starting-point without opening or closing the circuit at the auxiliary switch C. I

In Figs. 3 and 4 the movement of the rheostat-lever B controls a coil which actuates a plunger to trip a spring-actuated switch, and which switch may be one element of a doublepolecircuit-breaker. In these figures the parts corresponding to those already described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference-letters.

The auxiliary switch of Figs. 3 and 4 is an automatic circuit-breaker of the type shown in the patent to Leonard and Ball, No. 705,102, dated July 22, 1902. In Fig. 3, G and G are independently-inovable switches cooperating with stationary contacts between which is connected an overload-coil I-I, said switches and coil being connected in series between conductor P and the contactlever B. The contact-lever carries a switch B of the leaf contact type which bridges two stationary contacts a: and x when the lever is in the final position. Contact an is connected by a wire with the upper contact of switch G, and contact x is connected by a wire with the final contact a of the resistance, so that while lever B is at the initial or any intermediate point the circuit to the armature of motor M from switch G will be through lever B and resistance a to contact ac, the motorarmature being connected between the latter contact and conductor N. The field of M is connected in series with underloadmagnet F between the initial contact a and conductor N, the field and armature windings being in shunt relation. It will be seen that when lever B is in the final position the armature-circuit of the motor will be through switch B, which makes very intimate contact at a; and w, the resistance being shunted out of the armature-circuit. With motor-starting rheostats it has been customary to provide spring contact-clips for the rheostat-lever at the final position, as shown in Fig. 2, to afford good contact and prevent heating which would happen if a contact-button were employed for the final contact. With these spring-clip contacts, however, I have found it necessary to employ a hammer-blow device for the contact-lever to start the same when an automatic release is provided to control the circuit. With a leaf contact-switch, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a hammer-blow device is not necessary. The spring-brush affords good contact and no undue heating occurs, and when the automatic release responds to abnormal conditions in the circuit the action of the leaf-contact assists the spring of the contact-lever to return it to the starting position. Switch G in this form serves as the auxiliary switch and its opening movement in response to the backward movement of the contact-lever at the initial position is controlled by fine-wire coil H, which is connected between conductor U and a stationary spring-contact 00 which makes contact with lever B while in the initial position. The ef fect of this connection is to cause coil II to become energized and actuate its core or plunger, which when raised trips the catch which holds switch G closed and allows that switch to open, thus opening the circuit to the rheostat and motor. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that so long as contactlever B remains in the position shown or whenever the lever is returned to that position the high-resistance winding H will be energized by the full electromotive force and switch G will be opened. In operating the controller, switch G is first closed and then G is closed immediately after the initial movement of lever B, which breaks the connection at contact or switch G is closed before lever B is moved and held until the latter is moved to the first resistance-contact a, or switch G is first closed, then lever B is moved to the first resistance-contact, breaking at 2: and then switch G is closed. If the operator returns lever B after the initial movement, the circuit will immediately be opened at switch G with a quick snap action, thus preventing the draw ing of an arc. In Figs. 3 and 4 the first resistance-contact a is connected by a wire with the initial contact, so that the circuit is never opened at the rheostat; but the resistance can never remain in circuit while the lever is in its initial position. In this form lever B is provided with the usual retractingspring for returning it to the starting or initial position. It will be noticed that in Fig. 3 switches G and G are located in the same side of the circuit, while in Fig. 4 they are in op osite sides of the circuit, thus providing a ouble-pole switch. This is the only difference between Figs. 3 and 4. In each of these figures when the plunger of coil H is raised the latches holding switches G and G will both be tripped, as is customary in doublepole circuit-breakers and as is the case in the Leonard and Ball patent above referred to.

The construction of a suitable automatic switch is indicated in Fig. 19. Here each switch G G is shown as carried by the pivoted part 9 and each art having ahandle for manual closing.- Each part 9 has a pro jection g, adapted to be engaged by a latch g for holding the switch in a closed position. The latches g of both switches are controlled by the coil H and its core h. When the core is raised, due to the lar e current passing in coil H, both latches wilIbe tripped by reason of the cross-piece h engaging the extensions g 9 connected to the latches. The switches will then be opened, as by the force of springs g and the rods 9 since the latter are drawn outward by the tension of the springs, and.which rods engage the surfaces 9" on the switches. When the current in .coil H causes its core h to be raised, its

cross-pieceh will engage the extension 9 which latter is connected to the latch g of switch G. The switch G will therefore be opened by the passing of current in coil H. Instead of connecting coil H directly to conductor N it'might in some cases be connected to an intermediate point in the circuit which would give sufficiently high voltage to operate the plunger of coil H. Fig. 13 illustrates one such modification, being similar to Fig. 4, except that one end of coil H is connected to a point in the series of resistances. In this case the coil depends for'its operation upon the drop in electromotive force on a portion of the resistance.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that switches G G and coil H are connected in circuit in the same manner as in Fig. 4; but high-resistance coil H is connected across circuit P N in series with a high resistance. A thermostatic switch T is connected across the terminals of coil H, so that when contact is made at the platinum points coil H will be short-circuited and its core or plunger will drop, tripping the latch which holds switch G and permitting its spring to throw. it open. To actuate thermal strip T, I provide a small electric heater T, which may be a pottery tube having a resistance wound thereon, as shown in my Patent No. 691,949, dated January 28, 1902.- This heater is connected around all or part of the resistance of the rheostat, as shown, and it will be seen that sincethe heater when lever B remains on the initial rheostat-contact will be in the armature-circuit of the motor M across the line P N its temperature will rise rapidly, causing thermal switch T to short-circuit coil H and open the circuit between the rheostatlever B and conductor P.

In operating the controller of Fig. 5 the operator first closes switches G and G and will see that the core or plunger of fine-wire coil H is raised into the coil. The closure of switches .G and G gives a full field to motor M and closes the armature-circuit through the entire resistance of the rheostat. The

drop on the resistance (1 causes heater T to cuit to the motor and rheostat. An overloadcurrent will cause coil H to raise its core and trip the latches holding both switches. If an abnormally low or no-voltage condition exists, coil H will be too weak to hold its core and switch G will be opened. An arrangement of the parts for such an operation of switches G G is indicated in Fig. 20, which is similar to Fig. 19, except that the parts are so arranged that the falling of core h causes the opening of switch G instead of the raising of core h. The cross-piece h of core h in falling will engage the extension 9 connected to latch 9 and cause the latch to be moved so that the switch G will be opened.

Various arrangements might be devised for heating the switch T when current flows through the resistance, and the switch T might cause the coil H to be denergized in other ways. In Fig. 14 I have shown switch- T in proximity to a part of the resistance a, which resistance will serve to heat the switch if the arm B is held in position on the resistance-contacts an objectionable length of'time.

lOO

In this figure the switch T is shown in series if this resistance or any partthereof is kept in circuit an improper length of time it will cause the thermostatic switch T to be heated to such a degree that it will move and force the insulated conductor is to engage the contacts k and short-circuit coilH. The coil of coil H,

H is thus demagnetized, and the dropping of its core will cause the main circuit to be opened at switch G. When the resistancecontrolling arm is in final position, the thermostatic switch is cut out of circuit.

Instead of a thermal strip T for controlling the action of coil H a resistance T of iron, nickel, or other material having a high temperature coefficient, might be connected in series with coil H across the line, as shown in Fig. 6. In the arran ement of this figure the circuit through coil is closed by the closing of switch G, and when the rheostat-lever B is moved to engage the initial resistance-contact the motor will start and begin to accelerate. After being held there aproper length of time the lever will be moved along, the starting-resistance contacts, thereby disconnecting the initial resistance-contact from the first contact which originally actuated coil H, and this coil is then placed in series with the resistance T. If the rheostat-arm B is left for an improper length of time on the starting-resistance contacts, the magnetism due to the gradual increase. in resistance of T on account of being heated by resistance a in close proximity to it, would gradually become less as the time interval increased and in a predeterminable time the core or plunger of that coil would drop and trip the catch which holds switch G closed, whereupon that switch would open. Another modification of this idea is shown in Fig. 7, in which a resistance T,which may be mounted on a pottery tube, as in Fig. 5, is placed inside of a second pottery tube carrying a resistance T of iron, nickel, or other material havin a high temperature coefficient. In this arrangement coil H and resistance T are connected in series across the line, and. heater T is connected in a shunt around the resistance a of the rheotsat,-as in Fig. 5, and for the same purpose. Instead of separat-' ing the resistances T and T they might be arranged upon the same support and suitably insulated. To predetermine the time interval at which the condition of coils T and T would cause the coil H to release its plunger, an adjustable resistance might be provided for heater T, or when the windings of T and T are on separate supports the distance between them, or the relative positions of one within the other, might be varied to varythe heating effect of T upon T Various other ways of regulating the action of T and T and H in the arrangement ofFigs. 3, 4, and 7' might be devise without departing from the main feature of my invention.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the coil H is controlled. by an automatic switch. In Fig. 8 this coil is connected across the circuit in series with the ig. 9 the coil and automatic switch are connected in series with the rheostat. The automatic switch is preferably a double-arm ,coil H, and which clip holds it in position I opens switch G. be arranged as a automatic switch and a resistance, while in switch S and s, .pivoted on a common pivot and provided with a spring tending to throw them toward each other. Switch S makes contact with a spring-clip connected with 70 while arm 8 makes contact with a button connected to conductor N. This arm is held by a latch s, which is tripped by the action of the core or plunger of coil S. Arm 8 is not provided with an operating-handle and is arranged to be moved onto its contact by arm S. The coil S for controlling this switch is' connected across the first resistance-contact of the rheostat and a blind initial rheostatcontact. Although no means is indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 for holding the arm B in final position, it will be understood that when the arm is spring-actuated, as shown, some form of retaining means may be employed which is adapted to release the arm upon the occurrence of no voltage. It will be noted that the starter of Figs. 8 and 9 has no open-circuit point. To start the motor or other translating device, the operator first closes switch G, then switch-arms S and s are closed, and then the o erator holds down the plunger of coil S and closes switch G. It will be seen that when this is done the circuit connections will be as indicated, that coil S is energized, and that if the operator permits lever B to remain on the initial or-blind contact and lets go of the plunger of coil S that lunger will release switch-arm s and open tie circuit of. coil H, which in turn will drop its plunger and effect the opening of switch G and the loo circuit to the rheostat and translating device.

If the operator moves lever B to its final posi- I tion, as he should do, it will.be seen that the circuit to coil S is opened the instant lever B leaves the initial contact and that switch-arm s 10 5 will remain locked until lever B is returned to its initial position, whereupon coil S becoming energized will act as above stated. After lever B is moved from its initial position the rheostat and translating device will be no protected against abnormal conditions in the circuit by switches G and G. Instead of connecting the auxiliary switch of Figs. 8 and 9 as shown it might be arranged to close a normallyopen shunt around coil H. This rr 5 is shown in 16. When current passes through the coil S, its core is raised and the switch carried thereby closes the;- shunt around coil H. Its core then drops and The switch and coil might 12o time-switch by placing an iron or nickel resistance between the initial and first resistance-contacts of the rheostat,

so that coil S will be connected as a shunt to an initial resistance step of variable resist- I2 5 ance, which in this case would act automatically to increase its resistance due to its high temperature coefficient and send an increasing. current through coil S. This is illustrated in Fig. 17 ,the resistance T having a 1 c high tem erature coefficient. When predetermlnab e current passes through coil S and raises its core, the switch inthe circuit of coil H is opened. Instead of such a resistance a time-fuse might be employed, which when fused would cause the current to flow through S. This modification is shown in Fig. 18, in which the time-fuse is indicated at F between the first two contacts and is fused after carrying the starting-current a predetermined length of time. A still further modification is shown in Fig. 10, where coil S is connected as a shunt on the entire or part of rheostat resistance a. in series with a carbon resistance 8? or other material of negative temperate coefficient. In such an arrangement when the carbon becomes heated current will flow in the shunt and actuate coil S to release its switch and open or close a circuit, as above explained, to control coil H, which may be connected in either of the ways suggested,

In Fig. 1 1 I have shown an electromechanically-operated auxiliary switch, the action of which'is overned by the movements of the rheostatever at its starting position. C is a pivoted knife switch-blade; c 0, contactaws, as in Figs. 1 and 2. D is the actuatinghammer, which in this instance is started by solenoids O and 0, whose cores are connected to the arms of the hammer, and d is the spring for throwing the r hammer after it passes the center of equilibrium, although in this arrangpment the spring might be dis- .pensed wit since the movement of the cores will be very rapid and move with increasing speed. The circuit connections are from conductor P to switch C, to lever B, resistance a, and motor M to conductor N, the field M being in a shunt from lever B around the resistance and motor-armature. Coils O and O are connected in shunt relation between contacts 0 and o and conductorsl and N. Contacts 0 and 0 are located adjacent to the first and second rheostat-contacts a, respectively, so that in the initial position lever B will bridge the first contact a and contact 0 and in the second position contact 0 and the second contact a willbe bridged. The efiect of this is to .connect either coil 0 or O in circuit, and, as'shown, coil 0 isin circuit and its core is drawn down, and hammer D is tilted to the right, closin switch 0. If lever B is re-' turned to its initia position, coil 0 will be cut out and coil 0 cut in, thus actuating the core of the latter to throw the hammer to the left and open switch 0. When lever B is moved to 1ts final position, both coils will be cut out i of circuit and sprin d will hold switch C in ment is shown in Fig. 12.

position. A modi cation of this arrange- Here only one 0011 0 1s employed, and this coil is connected between conductor '1 and a contact 0 with which the insulated short arm 6 of lever B makes contact when in contact with any of en agement of foot 0 the rheostat-contactsa from the second-to the fina1 contacts, but not when in contact with the initial contact. Switch 0 (shown as a brush-switch) is provided with a rod Z, which breaks the are on carbon contacts z. This switch is mounted on a vertically-sliding rod 2 provided at its upper end with a stirrup 2 within which works a foot 0 secured to the lower end of rod 0, projecting from the core or plunger of coil 0 The vertically-sliding rods 2 and 0 work in suitable uides, and the lower end of rod 2 is rectanguar and Works in a correspondingly-shaped bearing to-hold switch C in alinement with its stationary contacts. As shown in Fig. 12,the

rheostat-lever B is in its second position, and the circuit to coil 0 is closed and its core is drawn up and switch 0 is closed. If now the operator returns lever B to the initial positlon, coil 0 will become demagnetized and its plunger will drop. striking a blow to the stirrup, the force of which and the tension of the brush-switch will drive the switch downward and open the circuit to the rheostat and motor. When lever B is moved forward, closing the circuit a ain at contact 0 the plunger of coil 0 and stirrup 2 switch 0 wi l be-closed.

It will be noted that I have indicated a motor M in the drawings having a shunt fieldwinding and that the supply-circuit to both the armature and shunt-Winding is opened by means of the automatic sw1tch in the main circuit; also, that when the circuit is o ened the armature and field are closedon wi l rise and through the ICO t emselves, giving a closed circuit for the field discharge;

Where I have referred to controllin means in the claims, it will be understood t at thls includes indirect as well as direct control.

It is evident that my invention may be embodied in various forms of construction and that I am not limited in the scope thereof eX- cept as indicated in the claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a rheostat, of

separate switch, a device for causing a forceto be suddenly applied at its full strength and thereby actuate said switch to either close or open the circuit, said switch and its operatlng device being capable of independent movement, and an arm on the rheostat contact-laver for operating said actuating device.

2. The combination of a rheostat, a separate switch, a device for causing a force to be suddenly applied at its full strength and thereby actuate said switch to either close or open the circuit, said switch and its operating device being capable of independent movement, and an arm on the rheostat contact-lever arranged to engage said device at a redei termined point in the forward or bac Ward movement of the lever..

3. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of'a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat, a device for causing a force to be suddenly appliedat its full strength and thereby actuate said switch, and means whereby the movement of said device is caused by the movement of said rheostatlever.

4. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat, means for controlling said switch comprising a hammer-blow device, and means on said contact-lever for controlling the movement of said hammer-blow device.

5. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat comprising stationary contacts and a pivoted switch-blade, an actuating device for said switch-blade comprising a pivoted hammer and a spring for moving the same, said hammer having a movement independent of the switch-blade, and means whereby the movement of said actuating device is controlled by the rheostat-lever.

6. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat comprising stationary contacts and a pivoted switch-blade, an actuatingdevice for said switch-blade comprising a pivoted hammer and a spring for moving the same, said hammer having a movement independent of the switch-blade, and means on said contact-lever for engaging said hammer to start it in movement at a predetermined position of the contact-lever.

7. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat comprising stationary contacts, a ivoted' switch-blade, auxiliary spring-meta contacts on each of the said stationary contacts and pins on said switch-blade for making contact with said springs, an actuating device for said switch-blade comprising a pivoted hammer and a spring for moving said hammer and having a movement independent of the switch blade, and means whereby the movement of said actuating device is controlled by the rheostat-lever.

8. The combination with a rheostat, of a switch, a spring-actuated hammer for operating same, and means engaged by the rheostat lever at the starting position to start said hammer and eifectthe closing or opening of the switch as said lever is moved forward or backward.

9. The combination with a rheostat, of a switch, an actuating device therefor, means whereby said switch is closed or opened by the forward or backward movement of the rheostat-lever at the startingposition, and an automatic switch responsive to abnormal conditions in the circuit, arranged to be moved in one direction by said lever.

10. The combination with a rheostat, of a switch, an actuating device therefor, means whereby said switch is closed or opened by the forward or backward movement of the rheostat-lever at the starting position, and an automatic switch responsive to abnormal conditions in the circuit, said two switches being arranged for successive operation by said ever to close the circuit.

11. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a separate switch, a device for actuating said switch to either close or open the circuit, said switch and its operating device being capable of independent movement, an arm on the rheostat contactlever for operating said actuating device, and an electroresponsive device responding to abnormal conditions in the circuit to open the rheostat-circuit.

12. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a separate switch, adevice for actuating said switch to either close or open the circuit, said switch and its operating device being capable of independent movement, an arm on the rheostat contactlever for operating said actuating device, an automatic switch controlled by an electrores onsive device responding to abnormal conditions in the circuit, and means whereby said automatic switch is closed by the movement of the rheostat-lever toward the starting position.

13. The combination with a rheostat and a spring-actuated contact-lever therefor, of an independent switch, means whereby' said switch is closed and opened respectively through the forward and backwardmovement of the contact-lever, an electromagnet for holding said contact-lever in its final position, an automatic switch, an electroresponsive device controlling the opening movement of said switch, and means wherebysaid switch is closed by the backward movement of the contact-lever.

14C. The combination with a rheostat and a spring-actuated contact-lever therefor, of a separate switch, an actuating device for said switch capable of movement independent thereof, means whereby said actuating device is operated to close or open said switch respectively by the forward or backward movement of the contact-lever, and an electroresponsive device for automatically releasing the contact-lever and permitting its return to the starting position under abnormal conditions in the circuit.

15. The combination of a hand-operated electric switch, a switch in series therewith, means for moving said second switch to the closed position, and means controlled by the movement of said hand-operated switch for suddenly applying a force at its full strength and thereby control the closing movement of said second switch.

16. The combination of a hand-operated electric switch, a switch in series therewith, means for moving said second switch to the I closed or open position, and means controlled force at its full strength and thereby control the closing movement of said switch.

18. The combination of a hand-operated electric switch, a switch in series therewith, and mechanical means caused to act by the movementof said hand-operated switch for suddenly applying a force at its full strength and thereby cause the movement of said second switch. 4

19. The combination with a rheostat hav- 7 ing a contact-lever for controlling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, and means caused to act by the movement of said contact-lever for causing a tomato be suddenly applied at its full strength and thereby cause the movement of said switch.

20. The combination with a rheostat having. a contact-lever for controlling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, means for automatically moving said switch to the clo sed position, means operated by the movement of the contact-lever for controlling the closing movement of said switch, and an electroresponsive device responding to overload to effect the opening of the circuit.

21. The combination with arheostat having a contact-lever for controlling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, means for automatically moving said switch to the closed position, means operated by the movement of the contact-lever for controlling the closing movementof said switch, an electroresponsive device responding to overload, a switch whose opening movement is controlled by said device, and means for closing said switch through the movement of the rheostat contact-lever. w

22. The combination with a rheostat and its contact-lever, of a switch for controlling the circuit to said rheostat, 'means for controlling said switch comprising a hammerblow device,- and means whereby the movement of said device is controlled mechanically by said rheostat-lever.

23. The combination of a resistance having" a movable element adapted to control said resistance, a switch vfor controlling the circuit to said resistance, means for controlling said switch having a movement independent of the switch, and means controlled by said movable element for causing the movement of said first-named means to thereby cause a force to be suddenlymade effective at its full. strength to movesaid switch.

24. The combination oi a resistance having a movable element adapted to control said resistance, a switch for controlling the circuit tosaid resistance, and means comprisinga movable part caused to act by the movement of said movable element for causits full strength for quickly moving said switch.

25. The combination of a hand-operated electric switch, a switch in series therewith, and means caused to act by said hand-operated switch for causing a force to be suddenly made effective at its full strength for quickly opening said second switch so that the current through 'said hand-operated switch will be interrupted by said second switch.

26. The combination with a rheostat having a movable element for controlling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, and

movable element for causing a force to be suddenly applied at its full strength for controlling the opening movement of said switch.

27. The combination with a rheostat having a movable element for controlling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, means for causing the automatic movement erated by the movement of said movable element for controlling the opening movement of said switch, and an electror'esponsive device responding to overload to protect the circuit under all operating conditions.

28. The combination with a supply-cirment for varying said resistance, a switch in series therewith, means for causin the opening of said switch, said means being controlled by said movable element, and means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of overload, said overload means comprising an additional electromag- .netic switch. p

29. The combination with a supply-circuit, of a resistance having a movable element for varying said resistance, a switch in series therewith, means for causing the open ing of said switch, said means being controlled by said movable element, and means responding to overload and no voltage for causing said circuit to be opened, saidoverload means being effective independently of the position ofsaid element.

30. The combination with a supply-cir-' cuit, of a resistance having a movable element for varying said resistance, a switch in series therewith, means for causing the opening of said switch, said means being controlled by said movable element, asecond 31. The combination with a supply-circuit, of a resistance having a movable eleing a force to be suddenly made effective at means caused to act by the movement ofsaid of said switch to the open position, means op- 9 5 cuit, of a resistance having a movable eleseries switch, and means ior opening saidsecond switch upon the occurrence of overload.

ment for varying said resistance, a switch in by said movable element, a second series switch, means for closing said second switch by the movement of said movable element, means for opening said second switch upon the occurrence of overload, and means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of no voltage.

'33. The combination of a resistance having a movable element adapted to vary said resistance, aswitch for controlling the cir 2 5 cuit to said resistance, means for causing the opening of said switch, said means comprising a movable part controlled by said movable element and having a movement independent of the movement of said switchpand means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of overload.

34. The combination of a resistance having a movable element adapted to vary said resistance, a switch for controlling the circuit 3 5 to said resistance, means for causing the opening of said switch, said means comprising a movable part controlled by said movable element and having a movement independent of said switch, and means for causmg said circuit tobe opened upon the occurrence of no voltage.

35. The combination of a resistance having a movable element adapted to vary said resistance, a switch for controlling the circuit to said resistance, means for causing the opening of said switch, said means comprising a movable part. controlled by said movable element and having a movement inde pendent of the movement of said switch, and means responsive to overload and to no voltage for causing said circuit to be opened.

36.' The-combination of a resistance having a movable element adapted to vary said resistance, a switch for controlling the circuit to said resistance, means for causing the openlng of said switch, said means comprisin a movablepart controlled by said movabe element and having a movement independent of said. switch, a second switch,

movement of said movable element, and means for opening said second switch upon the occurrence of abnormal conditionsin the circuit. a

65... 37 The combination of a supply-circuit, a

means for closing said second switch by the resistance having a movable element adapted to vary said resistance, a switch for controlling the circuit to said resistance, means for causing the opening of said switch, said means comprising a movable art controlled by said movable element and aving a movement independent of the movement of said switch, a second switch, means for causing the closing of said second switch by the movement of said movable element, means for causing the opening of said second switch upon the occurrence of overload, and means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of no voltage.

38. The combination with a supply-cir- 8o cuit, of a resistance, means for varymg said resistance, a switch in series with said resistance, means for causing the opening of said switch, said latter means being controlled by said resistance-varying means so that said switch interrupts the curr'ent through said resistance-varying means, and an eleetroresponsive means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of overload.

39. The combination of a rheostat having a movable element for controlling the resistance, an automatic switch in series with said resistance, means for causing said switch to be opened automatically when the resistancecon-trolling element is in a certain position so 5 as to-interrupt the current in said element, and an electrores onsive device which effects the opening of t e circuit upon the occurrence of predetermined overload-current.

40. The combination of a rheostat having a movable element by the movement of which the resistance in circuit can be varied from a certain minimum to a certain maximum, a clrcmt-o ening automat1c swltch 1n series with sai resistance, means for causing said switch to be opened automatically when the movable element is moved to a certain POSI- tion and to cause said switch to interrupt the current through said element, and means responsive to a predeterminable maximum energy in the circuit for effecting the opening of the circuit.

. 41. The combination of a resistance, an element for controlling said resistance but which cannot open the circuit inwhich said resistance is connected, a circuit-' opening switch inseries with said resistance, means for automatically opening saidswitch when the said controlling element is in a certain position, and means for protecting the circuit upon I 20 the occurrence of no voltage and upon the occurrence of overload-current.

. 42-. The combination of a motor havin a shunt field-winding, an automatic switch or controlling the current to both the armature I25 and field winding of said armature, a resistance in the armature-circuit of said motor,

a hand-o erated device for controlling the amount oi said resistance. in the armaturecircuit, means for causing the said automatic 1 0 lcn' switch to open the circuit when the saiddevice is in a certain osition so as to interrupt the current throug said device, and means for protecting the armature-circuit-upon the occurrence of no voltageand overload conditions.

43. The combination with a rheostat having a movable element forcontrolling the resistance, of a switch in series therewith, means for causing the closing of said switch, said means comprising a device actuated by the movement of said movable element, and said device acting to control the closure of said switch, and an electroresponsive device res onding to overload to efiect the opening of t e circuit independently of the position of said movable element. 7

44. The combination of a su ply-circuit, a resistance having a movable eement for varying said resistance, a switch in series there with, means for causing the closing of said switch, said means being controlled by said movable element so that the current through said movable element is interrupted by said switch, and means for causing said circuit to be opened upon the occurrence of overload.

45. The combination of a motor-rheostat having a movable element for controlling the resistance, an electroma netic overload cir-i cuit-breaker'in series wit said rheostat, the said circuit-breaker and movable element being mounted independently, means for nor mally restraining said movable element and for releasing the same upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition, and means function ally relating the said circuit-breaker and movable element whereby the circuit-breaker is closed only when there is a, protective amount of resistance in circuit. v

46. The combination of a motor-control ling resistance, a movable element for vary-- ing the amount of said resistance in circult, an automatic switch in series therewith, said switch and movable element being functiom ally related, and a second automatic. switch in series therewith for automatically rotecting the circuit upon the occurrence 0 abnormal conditions.

47. The combination of a motor-controlling resistance, a movable element for varying the amount of said resistance in circuit,

an automatic switch in series therewith, said switch and said movable element being functionally related for opening and closing said switch so that the said switch will establish and interrupt the current through said movment of at least one of said switches whereby the movable element must be in a protective position when said automatic switch or" switches are' closed.

49. The combination of a resistance, a contact device for varying said resistance, an auxiliary quick-acting switch for opening the circuit functionally related to said contact device, a magnetic circuit-breaker for opening the circuit upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition of the'circ'uit comprising an.

additional electromagnetic switch, and means whereby the closing of the circuit-breaker when the resistance is in a non-protective condition is avoided.

50. The combination with a supply-circuit, of a resistance, means for varying said resistance, a switch in series with said resistance, means for causing said switch to be' opened, said latter means being controlled by said resistance varying means, and means for causing said circuit to be opened 11 on the occurrence of overload, said overloa means comprising an additional electromagnetic switch. v

51. The combination with a supplycircuit, of a resistance, means for varying said resistance, a switch in series with said resistance, means for causing said switch to be opened, said latter means being controlled by said resistance-varying means so that said switch will interrupt the current through said' resistance-varying means, and means for causing said circuit to be opened upon occurrence of overload, said overload means comprising an additional electromagnetic switch.

52. The combination with a motor-controlling rheostat having a movable element for controlling the resistance, two automatic switches electrically connected therewith,

the said switches being inde endently closable, and means for control ing the closing movement of at least one of said switches whereby the movable element must be in a I switches whereby the movable element must be in a protective position when said automatic switch or switches are closed.

54. The combination with a motor-rheostat having a movable element for control ling the resistance, two automatic switches in series with each other and with said rheostat, the said switches being closable in succession, and means for controlling theclosing movement of atleast, one of said switches whereby the movable element must be in a protective position when said automatic 13o swltchfor switches are closed.

55. The combination of a resistance-controlling arm, a switch moved thereby to a certain position, means for restraining the switch in said position, a second switch, and means controlled by said arm for moving said second switch to its closed position when the said resistance-controlling arm is moved away from its initial position.

56. The combination of a rheostat, two switches in series with each other closable successively, means for automatically opening the switch first closed it an excessive current flows in the circuit when the second switch is closed, and means for insuring the closure of said two switches only when the rheostat is in a desired starting condition.

57. The combination of a resistance having a movable contact device, two switches in series with each other closable successively, means for automatically opening one of said switches upon the occurrence of predetermined overload-current, means for retaining said contact device normally in a certain position and for releasing said device upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition in the circuit, means for moving said device to a protective position when released, and means for insuring the closing of said overloadswitch only when said contact device is in a protective position.

58. The combination of a motor, a rheostat for said motor having a movable element, a switch, means for causing the movement of said element to control the movement of said switch in two directions, an electroresponsive winding the current in which is controlled by said switch, and a switch in series with the motor-armature controlled by said electroresponsive winding.

59. The combination of a motor, a rheostat for said motor having a movable element, means for causing an auxiliary electrical contact to be made when said element is moved to a certain position and to be broken when moved to another position, an electroresponsive winding the current in which is affected by the making and breakingof said contact, and a switch in series with the motor-armature controlled by said electroresponsive Winding.

60. The combination of a circuit-controlling rheostat having a movable element, means for causing an auxiliary electrical contact to be made when said element is moved to a certain position and to be broken when said element is moved to another position, an electroresponsive winding the current in which is affected by the making and breaking of said contact, and an automatic switch controlled by said winding.

61. The combination of a circuit-controlling rheostat having a movable element, means for causing an auxiliary electrical contact to be made when said element is moved to a certain position and to be broken when said element is moved to another position, an electroresponsive winding the current in which is affected by the making and breaking of said contact, an automatic switch controlled by said winding, and means for protecting the circuit upon the occurence oi no voltage.

62. The combination of a motor, a rheostat in circuit with the armature thereof, a switch in series with the armature, electroresponsive means which respond to efiect the movement of said switch to a protective position under abnormal conditions, a switch which controls the current to said electroresponsive means, and means for causing the control of said latter switch only when said rheostat is in a proper condition.

63. The combination of a resistance, a movable element for varying the resistance, two switches in series with each other, at least one of said switches being so functionally related to said movable element that the circuit through said two switches can be closed only when said movable element is in a proper starting position.

64. The combination of two independentlymovable switches and a rheostat, a motor to which said switches and rheostat are functionally related, means for functionally relating at least two of said devices so that they cannot both be closed except when the third device is in a proper starting position, and means for causing at least two of said devices to be moved automatically in response to abnormal circuit conditions.

65. The combination of a hand-controlled device, a switch in series therewith, and means controlled by the movement of said device for causing a force to be suddenly made effective at its full strength for quickly closing said switch when said device has been moved to a certain position independentlyof the rate of movement of said device.

66. The combination of a manually-controlled device, a switch in series therewith, and means controlled by said device for causing a force to be suddenly applied at its full strength to quickly open and quickly close said switch independently of the rate of movement of said device.

67. The combination of an electric motor, a controlling-rheostat having a manuallycontrolled element, a switch in series with said rheostat, and means controlled by said element for causing a force to be suddenly made effective at its full strength for quickly opening and quickly closing said switch inpendently of the rate of movement of said element.

This specification signed and witnessed this 26th day of November, 1901 H. HARD LEONARD.

Witnesses:

CAROLYN G. LEONARD, TVM. PELZER. 

